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Friday, February 22, 2013

Pork to be on menu of Parliament canteen in future

Despite objections from Muslim MPs, the Speaker decided yesterday that
pork may be offered, to MPs, in the Parliament canteen, revoking a
previous ban on it, informed sources said.

Earlier Speaker Chamal
Rajapaksa had, at the request of Muslim MPs, decided not to offer pork
at the parliamentary canteen. However some MPs, including Chief
Opposition Whip John Amaratunga, had objected to the decision. The
Speaker had revoked the decision yesterday. He had reportedly said at
the House Committee meeting that one should not place restrictions on
the choices of food available to other people.

He had said that
if any MP wanted to eat pork, he or she should inform the canteen
authorities in advance. MPs have long had the right to order beef and
mutton in the canteen.

At yesterday’s meeting, MP Azwer
voiced his objections to this decision on the grounds that Islam did not
permit the consumption of pork. This led to a heated argument between
him and Mr. Amaratunga.

The Speaker also revoked the price
increase of meals served at the canteen to the guests of MPs. The
latest decision is to charge Rs. 250 per meal from an MP who has no more
than 12 guests. If an MP has more than 12 guests for a meal, Rs.600
will be charged from him on account of each guest.

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